Dave Rasmussen calls it “One of the most enduring show rods of all time.” Tom Daniel says, “The cross and the German theme reminded me of Milwaukee and its beer and German heritage.” Daniel’s debut kit is one of the most coveted ever. First impressions count for a lot, and Daniel’s dynamic box art presented a fresh look on store shelves. Inside the box, Monogram delivered with unique details, challenging their pattern makers and delighting modelers. The chain-drive rear end alone was a bold move, but details such as the “Pilsner Yellow” styrene and the tiny beer stein shift knob brought the intricacies of 1/24 scale to a new level. In the name of political correctness, Monogram re-issued the kit in 1998 under the lame RC Cola Wagon moniker. (Photo Courtesy Dave’s Show Rod Rally)

      The first of more than 85 kits Daniel designed for Monogram, the Beer Wagon concept was actually hatched by Monogram’s marketing department, desperate to dig the company out from under a ton of slot cars they had invested in. Monogram’s Bob Reder and Roger Harney were impressed with Daniel’s Sketchpad series in the Petersen Publishing magazines and ran the Beer Wagon idea by him. Daniel quickly realized the massive Mack truck would require a radical downsizing. Once that was accomplished, the rest was child’s play for the naturally whimsical Daniel.